Eric Desjardins
Encyclopedia
Éric Desjardins is a Canadian
former professional ice hockey
defenceman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens
and Philadelphia Flyers
. He won the Stanley Cup
with Montreal in 1993 and headlined the Flyers defence for over a decade. He currently works for his own business.
by the Montreal Canadiens
from the Granby Bisons
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL). After playing one more season for Granby, he joined the Sherbrooke Canadiens
of the American Hockey League
(AHL) in time to make his professional debut in the spring of 1988, playing three regular season games and four playoff games. He began his NHL career in 1988–89 with two goals and twelve assists in 36 games. He also played in 14 playoff games on Montreal's way to the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals
, a loss against the Calgary Flames
.
His play improved thereafter, leading to an appearance in the 1992 NHL All-Star Game
. By 1992–93 he had established himself as one of the team's premier defencemen, often playing in power play situations with Mathieu Schneider
. Perhaps his most famous performance happened in game two of the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals
on June 3, 1993, when he scored all of Montreal's goals in a 3–2 overtime
win over the Los Angeles Kings
in a game also marked by Marty McSorley
's illegal stick penalty. The game turned the series in Montreal's favour.
On February 9, 1995, Desjardins was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers
along with John LeClair
and Gilbert Dionne
in exchange for Mark Recchi
and a 3rd round pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
. He was brought in to solidify the Flyers defence and that he did as he won the first of what would be seven Barry Ashbee Trophies, an award given annually to the Flyers top blueliner. He played the remainder of his career with the Flyers, achieving two NHL second team All-Star selections (1999, 2000) and two more All-Star Game appearances (1996, 2000
). His 396 points with the Flyers ranks second among defencemen only to Mark Howe
's 480 in team history. Desjardins was nicknamed Rico throughout his playing career.
The Flyers didn't offer Desjardins a contract following the 2005–06 season. His original team, Montreal, was interested in signing him for the 2006–07 season, but Desjardins opted to retire as a Flyer on August 10, 2006.
On January 11, 2007, before the Flyers/Canadiens game in Philadelphia, the Flyers honoured Desjardins with Eric Desjardins Night, which featured a ceremony highlighting Desjardins' Flyers career. Afterwards, Desjardins was presented gifts and tokens of appreciation from both the Flyers and the Canadiens, his two former clubs.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
former professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
and Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with Montreal in 1993 and headlined the Flyers defence for over a decade. He currently works for his own business.
Playing career
Desjardins was drafted 38th overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft1987 NHL Entry Draft
The 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1986–87 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players selected.-Selections...
by the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
from the Granby Bisons
Granby Bisons
The Granby Bisons were a junior ice hockey team founded in 1981 after the team moved from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, where they had previously been known as the Sorel Éperviers. The Bisons played at Arena Leonard Grondin in Granby, Quebec. In 1995 they were renamed the Granby Prédateurs. Today they are...
of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL). After playing one more season for Granby, he joined the Sherbrooke Canadiens
Sherbrooke Canadiens
The Sherbrooke Canadiens were a professional ice hockey team in Sherbrooke, Quebec. They played their home games at the Palais des Sports. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1984 to 1990, and were a farm team of the Montreal Canadiens....
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) in time to make his professional debut in the spring of 1988, playing three regular season games and four playoff games. He began his NHL career in 1988–89 with two goals and twelve assists in 36 games. He also played in 14 playoff games on Montreal's way to the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals
1989 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1989 Stanley Cup Final was between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens, the top two teams during the 1988–89 NHL regular season. , this is the most recent time that the first two seeds met in the Stanley Cup Final, as the New Jersey Devils had one win less than the Detroit Red Wings...
, a loss against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
.
His play improved thereafter, leading to an appearance in the 1992 NHL All-Star Game
43rd National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 43rd NHL All-Star Game featured 16 goals as the Campbell Conference defeated the Wales Conference, 10–6. Brett Hull was named as the All-Star M.V.P...
. By 1992–93 he had established himself as one of the team's premier defencemen, often playing in power play situations with Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider is a American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totalling 743 points...
. Perhaps his most famous performance happened in game two of the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals
1993 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1993 Stanley Cup Final series was contested by the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens to decide the NHL championship for the 1992–93 season. It was the first appearance in the Final for the Kings, and the 34th for Montreal, their first since the 1989 Final. The Canadiens won the...
on June 3, 1993, when he scored all of Montreal's goals in a 3–2 overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
win over the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a game also marked by Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
's illegal stick penalty. The game turned the series in Montreal's favour.
On February 9, 1995, Desjardins was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
along with John LeClair
John LeClair
John Clark LeClair is an American former professional ice hockey left winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
and Gilbert Dionne
Gilbert Dionne
Gilbert Dionne is a retired professional ice hockey left winger who played six seasons in the National Hockey League from 1990–91 until 1995–96. He is the younger brother of Hockey Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne, who is nineteen years his senior.Dionne was drafted 81st overall by the Montreal...
in exchange for Mark Recchi
Mark Recchi
Mark Louis Recchi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 22 years in the National Hockey League , most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...
and a 3rd round pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
1995 NHL Entry Draft
The 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. Instead, a draft lottery was instituted in which the winner of the lottery could move...
. He was brought in to solidify the Flyers defence and that he did as he won the first of what would be seven Barry Ashbee Trophies, an award given annually to the Flyers top blueliner. He played the remainder of his career with the Flyers, achieving two NHL second team All-Star selections (1999, 2000) and two more All-Star Game appearances (1996, 2000
50th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 50th National Hockey League All-Star Game was part of the 1999–2000 NHL season, and took place in Toronto's Air Canada Centre on February 6, 2000....
). His 396 points with the Flyers ranks second among defencemen only to Mark Howe
Mark Howe
Mark Steven Howe is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League and 6 seasons in the World Hockey Association . He is the son of Colleen and Gordie Howe, and early in his career was a teammate of his father...
's 480 in team history. Desjardins was nicknamed Rico throughout his playing career.
The Flyers didn't offer Desjardins a contract following the 2005–06 season. His original team, Montreal, was interested in signing him for the 2006–07 season, but Desjardins opted to retire as a Flyer on August 10, 2006.
On January 11, 2007, before the Flyers/Canadiens game in Philadelphia, the Flyers honoured Desjardins with Eric Desjardins Night, which featured a ceremony highlighting Desjardins' Flyers career. Afterwards, Desjardins was presented gifts and tokens of appreciation from both the Flyers and the Canadiens, his two former clubs.
Records
- June 3, 1993: First and to date only defenceman to score a hat-trick in a Stanley Cup FinalsStanley Cup FinalsThe Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
game.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1985–86 | Laval Laurentides | QAAA | 42 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 54 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 14 | ||
| 1986–87 1986–87 QMJHL season The 1986–87 QMJHL season was the 18th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The two last place teams from previous season both won their divisions. The Granby Bisons finished first overall in the regular season, winning their... |
Granby Bisons Granby Bisons The Granby Bisons were a junior ice hockey team founded in 1981 after the team moved from Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, where they had previously been known as the Sorel Éperviers. The Bisons played at Arena Leonard Grondin in Granby, Quebec. In 1995 they were renamed the Granby Prédateurs. Today they are... |
QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
66 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 75 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | ||
| 1987–88 1987–88 QMJHL season The 1987–88 QMJHL season was the 19th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. Patrice Lefebvre of the Shawinigan Cataractes becomes the last player in Canadian Hockey League history to record a 200-point season... |
Granby Bisons | QMJHL | 62 | 18 | 49 | 67 | 138 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 1987–88 1987–88 AHL season The 1987–88 AHL season was the 52nd season of the American Hockey League. Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league abandoned shootout, but continues to award points for an overtime loss... |
Sherbrooke Canadiens Sherbrooke Canadiens The Sherbrooke Canadiens were a professional ice hockey team in Sherbrooke, Quebec. They played their home games at the Palais des Sports. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1984 to 1990, and were a farm team of the Montreal Canadiens.... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1988–89 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
36 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1989–90 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 55 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 51 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 1990–91 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 62 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 27 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 1991–92 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 77 | 6 | 32 | 38 | 50 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1992–93 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 13 | 32 | 45 | 98 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 23 | ||
| 1993–94 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 84 | 12 | 23 | 35 | 97 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1994–95 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 9 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 34 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 12 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 1995–96 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 80 | 7 | 40 | 47 | 45 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 82 | 12 | 34 | 46 | 50 | 19 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 12 | ||
| 1997–98 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 77 | 6 | 27 | 33 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 68 | 15 | 36 | 51 | 38 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 81 | 14 | 41 | 55 | 32 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 2 | ||
| 2000–01 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 79 | 15 | 33 | 48 | 50 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 65 | 6 | 19 | 25 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 79 | 8 | 24 | 32 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 48 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 45 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 56 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
| NHL totals | 1143 | 136 | 439 | 575 | 757 | 168 | 23 | 57 | 80 | 93 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 11th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Piešťany, Trenčín, Nitra, and Topoľčany, Czechoslovakia . Finland captured its first World Junior gold medal. Czechoslovakia captured the silver, and Sweden the bronze... |
Canada | WJC | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1988 1988 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1988 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 12th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Moscow, Soviet Union. Canada and the Soviet Union won the gold and silver medals respectively as the two nations redeemed themselves following their mutual... |
Canada | WJC | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1991 1991 Canada Cup The 1991 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played in September 1991. The finals took place in Montreal on September 14 and Hamilton, Ontario on September 16, and were won by Canada. The Canadians defeated the USA in a two game sweep, to win the fifth and final Canada... |
Canada | CC Canada Cup The Canada Cup refers to several types of professional sporting events held in Canada: It is also the previous name of the World Cup of Golf and the World Cup of Hockey.* Canada Cup for men's professional ice hockey* Canada Cup... |
8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1996 1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey .... |
Canada | WCH World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1998 Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics was played at The Big Hat and Aqua Wing Arena in Nagano, Japan.-Men's tournament:The 1998 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament was the first in which professional players from the National Hockey League were allowed to participate, allowing national teams to... |
Canada | OG Ice hockey at the Olympic Games Ice hockey tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Junior int'l totals | 14 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | |||
| Senior int'l totals | 22 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | |||
All-Star Games
| Year | Location | G | A | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 43rd National Hockey League All-Star Game The 43rd NHL All-Star Game featured 16 goals as the Campbell Conference defeated the Wales Conference, 10–6. Brett Hull was named as the All-Star M.V.P... |
Philadelphia Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1996 | Boston Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 50th National Hockey League All-Star Game The 50th National Hockey League All-Star Game was part of the 1999–2000 NHL season, and took place in Toronto's Air Canada Centre on February 6, 2000.... |
Toronto Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
0 | 1 | 1 | |
| All-Star totals | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
Awards
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Barry Ashbee Trophy | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 |
| Emile Bouchard Trophy Emile Bouchard Trophy The Émile Bouchard Trophy is awarded annually by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, to the "Defenceman of the Year."-Winners:-External links:* List of trophy winners.... |
1988 1987–88 QMJHL season The 1987–88 QMJHL season was the 19th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. Patrice Lefebvre of the Shawinigan Cataractes becomes the last player in Canadian Hockey League history to record a 200-point season... |
| NHL Second Team All-Star NHL All-Star Team The NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are... |
1999, 2000 |
| QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... First Team All-Star |
1988 |
| QMJHL Second Team All-Star | 1987 1986–87 QMJHL season The 1986–87 QMJHL season was the 18th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The two last place teams from previous season both won their divisions. The Granby Bisons finished first overall in the regular season, winning their... |
| Yanick Dupre Memorial | 1999 |